The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49206

Melissa A. Fleschler, MS¹, Susan Tortolero, PhD², Nancy F. Weller, DrPH¹, and Robert C. Addy, MA¹. (1) School of Public Health, University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, 7000 Fannin Ste. 2672D, Houston, TX 77030, 713-500-9759, mfleschler@sph.uth.tmc.edu, (2) Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research, University of Texas - Houston, 7000 Fannin, Ste 2622, Houston, TX 77030

Weapon carrying by youth poses a significant public health threat as adolescents who carry weapons may be more likely to be involved in deadly encounters with other individuals (1) Although some studies have addressed the protective effects of parent involvement on adolescent weapon carrying (2;3) and other violent behavior (4;5), only one study has addressed the influence of other adult involvement on weapon carrying (6). Among minority adolescents, interaction with other adults may be protective since a disproportionate number live in single homes (7). The present study addresses the association between adult interaction and weapon carrying among 1512 Hispanic and African-American middle and high school students in a large, inner-city school district in Southeast Texas. Students with a medium and low level of adult interaction were, respectively, 1.72 (1.14, 2.61) and 1.98 (1.29, 3.06) times more likely to carry a knife or blunt object; and 1.37 (.86, 2.18) and 2.09 (1.32, 3.32) times more likely to carry a gun. After adjusting for known sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, students with a medium and low level of adult interaction were 1.69 (1.06, 2.69) and 1.74 (1.04, 2.91) times, respectively, more likely to carry a knife or blunt object. However, adult interaction was not associated with gun carrying after adjusting for other explanatory factors. Study results allow researchers to understand the potential benefit of adult interaction in preventing youth violent behaviors, such as weapon carrying.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the implications of weapon carrying in adolescents.
• Describe the association between adult interaction and weapon carrying.
• Describe the role of substance use on the association between adult interaction and weapon carrying.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Youth Violence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.